Police car in blaze drama

A POLICE car caught fire yesterday after being struck by another vehicle as officers dealt with an incident on a busy stretch of road into Colchester.

The accident happened on the A12 Spring Lane off-slip, near to the Avenue of Remembrance, as Stanway road police dealt with a white Citroen Saxo left precariously parked following a breakdown.

As officers from one vehicle placed cones around the Saxo, a police Volvo went into the “fend off” position about 200 yards up the road with its blue lights on to warn drivers of the hazard.

But a red Renault Clio drove into the back of the Volvo causing it to catch fire.

Stanway traffic police said last night that it was very lucky that their officer was not back at the Volvo, as he had finished dealing with the original incident.

The 32-year-old driver of the Clio, from Colchester, suffered cuts to his head and hand and also pain in his arm, neck and back.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance and the road was closed for more than an hour following the 11.30am incident.

Pc Roger Manser, of Stanway traffic police, said: “The officer had put on blue flashing lights and the car was in the fend off position but, for reasons unknown, the driver went into the rear of it.

“The officer saw it happen - it could have been a lot worse and the incident was within a few hundred yards of where Pc Gary Veal was killed.”

Pc Veal died in January 2002 after being struck by a car as he placed cones out on the A12.

Yesterday ambulance crews attached a collar round the Renault driver's neck and placed him on a backboard, although it is not thought that his injuries were serious.

Police said they would speak to the man to try to find why he did not heed the warnings.

Firefighters from Colchester attended, although they were not required.

Stanway road policing unit want to hear from people who witnessed the accident.

Anyone with information should call them on 01206 762512.